Health
Randy Jackson Shares His Weight Loss Journey and How He Manages Diabetes and High Blood Pressure
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Health
Breast cancer diagnoses spiking among women under 50, new report reveals
Although breast cancer deaths have been declining for decades in the U.S., diagnoses have been on the uptick among women 50 and younger.
That’s according to a new report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) — Breast Cancer Statistics, 2024.
The good news is that since 1989, breast cancer mortality has declined overall by 44% — but diagnoses of the disease have been rising by 1% each year between 2012 and 2021.
BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS MAY DECLINE FOR WOMEN WHO RECEIVE FALSE-POSITIVE TEST RESULTS, SAYS STUDY
The biggest spike was seen among women younger than 50 (1.4% per year) and Asian-American/Pacific-Islander women (up to 2.7% per year), the report revealed.
The findings were published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
“Although the breast cancer death rate has declined by 44% thanks to advances in early detection and treatment, the continued increase in breast cancer incidence may slow progress in the future,” lead author Angela Giaquinto, associate scientist in cancer surveillance research at the ACS, told Fox News Digital.
That is especially the case among women younger than 50, she said, whose rates are increasing by 1.4% per year compared to 0.7% per year in older women.
THESE 17 CANCER TYPES ARE MORE COMMON IN GEN X AND MILLENNIALS, AS STUDY NOTES ‘ALARMING TREND’
Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the ACS, noted that women are “a lot less likely” to die from breast cancer, but that “alarming disparities” still remain — particularly for Asian-American, Pacific Islander, Native American and Black women.
“These gaps need to be rectified through systematic efforts to ensure access to high-quality screening and treatment for every woman,” he said in the release.
The report compiled cancer data from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR), and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Second only to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women.
“The reasons for the increased prevalence of breast cancer in younger patients are complicated, multifaceted and still being studied.”
This year, approximately 310,720 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and around 42,250 will die from the disease, according to the ACS.
“The increased prevalence of breast cancer is not only an issue in the U.S. — we are seeing similar trends in other countries as well,” Dr. Christopher McGreevy, associate chief of breast surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital.
Potential reasons for the younger trend
“The reasons for the increased prevalence of breast cancer in younger patients are complicated, multifaceted and still being studied,” said McGreevy, who was not involved in the report.
SENIORS AND BREAST CANCER: WHY AREN’T OLDER WOMEN TOLD TO GET MAMMOGRAMS?
One reason for early-onset breast cancer is that more patients are obese, the doctor noted.
“Excess weight, particularly after menopause, fuels estrogen production, a key driver of certain breast cancers,” he said.
Delayed childbearing can also increase the onset of the disease, McGreevy noted, as pregnancy reduces women’s breast cancer risk.
“Environmental toxins, lurking in everything from plastics to pesticides, are also suspected contributors,” he said.
“These endocrine disruptors mimic estrogen in the body, potentially triggering abnormal cell growth.”
Genetics could also factor into the uptick, according to the doctor.
“Certain gene mutations, like BRCA1 and BRCA2, significantly elevate the risk of breast cancer, even at a young age,” he said.
The rise among younger women could also be a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, fueled by delayed diagnoses due to interruptions in screening, according to the researchers.
Potential limitations
There were some limitations associated with the study, the researchers acknowledged.
“The risk and trends in the study are for all women and are not able to account for individual patient characteristics, such as comorbidities or treatment received, or control for social determinants of health, such as insurance status,” Giaquinto told Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“We also present statistics for the broadly defined racial and ethnic groups, which mask substantial differences within these populations.”
Prevention tips
The best means of prevention is to talk to your doctor about getting screened, according to Giaquinto.
“Early detection of breast cancer is one of the best tools we have for improving survival,” she told Fox News Digital.
“All women should keep up to date with their recommended breast cancer screenings. This is especially relevant for younger women, as the recommended age of the United States Preventive Services Task Force was recently dropped to age 40.”
Women should also be aware of their family history and personal risk factors, Giaquinto added.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
“Women can also reduce their risk of breast cancer by moderating alcohol consumption if they drink, maintaining a healthy body weight and being physically active,” the researcher advised.
“About 30% of all breast cancers are attributed to these lifestyle factors.”
Health
These 6 ‘healthy’ foods won’t help you lose weight, nutritionist warns
While some foods are considered healthy and nourishing, they might not always be optimal for weight loss.
Registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein spoke with Fox News Digital in an interview about certain foods that could stunt health and fitness goals.
“There’s definitely a big difference between healthy and healthy for weight loss,” the Los Angeles-based expert said. “This is something that I see so many people struggle with.”
LEAN, MEAN PROTEIN: HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU BE EATING? NUTRITIONIST REVEALS ANSWERS
It’s possible to eat healthy foods yet still pack on pounds, she noted, “which is not healthy for your overall body, especially if you have weight to lose.”
Here are six surprising foods that might not help you lose weight.
1. Granola and oats
While granola is a classic topping for healthy snacks like yogurt and smoothie bowls, Muhlstein likened it to a “crushed-up cookie.”
“People look at it as super healthy, but those oats are usually being tossed with nut butters, oils, maple syrup, honey, thrown-in chocolate chips and coconut shavings,” she said. “They’re baked, it’s dense and a cup of granola can be 600 calories.”
2 SURPRISING FOODS FOR FALL THAT ARE DELICIOUS, HEALTHY AND EASY TO PREPARE
Even a sprinkle of granola can add up to 200 calories, according to Muhlstein.
“[It’s] really not a great bang for your buck when you’re talking about filling up on foods and staying within a healthy calorie range for weight loss,” she said.
While oat-based foods like overnight oats and oatmeal can work well for people who are athletic, they might not be the best choice for those on weight-loss journeys, Muhlstein said.
“It kind of sits with them … they’re not able to burn it off so quickly,” she said. “It’s really good before a workout, as you’re taking those carbs and using them efficiently.”
DRINKING SOY MILK COULD REDUCE RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE, RESEARCH SHOWS
Muhlstein recommends pairing oat recipes with yogurt or protein powder for a more optimal meal.
2. Nut butters
Nut butters are “not a protein source,” even though whole nuts contain protein, the nutritionist stated.
They can be used to add flavor or healthy fat to recipes like salad dressing, stir-fry or smoothies, she said.
“If you are trying to eat peanut butter for protein and you’re having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you are having a lot of calories, a lot of carbs … and very, very little protein overall,” Muhlstein noted.
3. Chia seeds
Seed-based snacks like chia seed puddings have grown in popularity as a healthy breakfast option.
Chia seed puddings, however, can be made with sweeteners like honey, maple syrup and coconut milk, which make them “very high in calories” and low in protein, Muhlstein revealed.
“It has plenty of good, healthy fats and could be great for your digestion, [with] Omega-3s and fiber,” she said.
“But overall, it’s not the slimmest choice if you’re trying to drop pounds on the scale and maintain a leaner frame.”
4. Avocado
While avocado is well-known for being a healthy fat, eating too much can hamper weight-loss goals.
Most women only need about one avocado’s worth of fat in a whole day, according to Muhlstein.
DIET CRISIS IN AMERICA: CELEBRITY FITNESS TRAINER AND MOM TOUTS ‘NO RULES’ NUTRITION PLAN
“When you get a salad with half an avocado on top of the dressing, on top of the nuts and everything else, it’s probably a lot,” she said. “I usually recommend about a quarter to a third of an avocado at a time.”
5. Sourdough bread
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, many people turned to baking sourdough bread, which spiked its popularity.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health
While sourdough does have some healthy qualities, as it’s fermented and can have a lower glycemic index, Muhlstein pointed out that it “still has calories.”
“It’s still not cauliflower,” she said. “It’s really funny how many people almost treat it like it is.”
Some of Muhlstein’s clients have made a habit of baking a loaf of sourdough every week and then eating the whole thing, she said.
“It’s really not working for their weight loss,” she said. “But it’s the last thing they think is the problem, because it’s been touted as such a health food.”
6. Pesto
Pesto can be a delicious condiment on salads, vegetables and other dishes, but it is usually made with “lots of olive oil, lots of Parmesan cheese and lots of pine nuts,” Muhlstein cautioned.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“When you have that dipped with your bread, and it becomes excessive, it is a very high-calorie condiment,” she said.
The nutritionist recommends thinning out a pesto recipe with lemon juice, Greek yogurt, or nutritional yeast instead of cheese and nuts.
Adding more basil will help thicken the recipe, while more water will help blend it.
“I know that sounds sacrilege to some chefs, but if you are really trying to get the flavor, there are ways to make a leaner pesto,” Muhlstein added.
Health
Does everyone need to take vitamins — and which are most important? Here’s what to know
Advertisements and social media often suggest that vitamin supplements are important for optimal health — but are they really essential for everyone?
“Vitamins have become a multi-billion-dollar industry, with shelves full of supplements promising better health, more energy and a longer life,” Andrea Soares, a registered dietitian from Top Nutrition Coaching in Miami, Florida, told Fox News Digital.
Just over 57% of American adults took dietary supplements between 2017 and 2020, with multivitamins and minerals being the most popular, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
DAILY MULTIVITAMINS MIGHT NOT HELP YOU LIVE LONGER, STUDY FINDS
But what does this mean for you? Fox News Digital spoke to the experts to find out.
What is a vitamin?
Vitamins are nutrients that are essential for the body to function normally, according to Jennifer Messer, president of the New Hampshire Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a registered dietitian in New Hampshire.
“We cannot make vitamins in our bodies, and so we must get them in our diets,” she told Fox News Digital.
(The one exception is vitamin D, which people can also get from the sun.)
Vitamins are either fat-soluble or water-soluble, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
BE WELL: PREPARE A DINNER RICH IN VITAMIN D FOR GOOD HEALTH
Fat-soluble vitamins — A, D, E and K — are stored in the body’s fatty tissue, liver and muscles, so they are absorbed better when taken with fatty foods.
Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body, so any excess amount is usually excreted in the urine.
Thirteen vitamins are considered “essential.”
These include vitamins A, C, D, E and K, as well as the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, B6, B12 and folate), according to the NIH.
“For most people, a well-balanced diet is sufficient to meet daily vitamin needs,” Soares told Fox News Digital.
“For most people, a well-balanced diet is sufficient to meet daily vitamin needs.”
Vitamin A is easily obtained from eating a balanced diet, vitamin E is abundant in common foods, and most people get enough vitamin C if they eat fruits and vegetables like oranges, strawberries and bell peppers, she said.
Some people don’t get enough vitamins from dietary sources, however.
When are vitamin supplements necessary?
Certain vitamin deficiencies can potentially cause health problems.
“In the U.S., the FDA updated nutrition labels to reflect nutrients of public health concern due to deficiencies or inadequacies in the general population,” Messer told Fox News Digital.
Vitamin A helps maintain good eyesight, for example — and children who get an inadequate amount are at risk for blindness, according to the CDC.
As vitamin D supports bone health and immune function, people with limited sun exposure may be more prone to bone diseases like osteoporosis, research has shown.
“As of recent regulations, vitamin D is required on nutrition labels,” Messer noted.
IV THERAPY CRAZE HAS AMERICANS PUMPING VITAMINS INTO THEIR VEINS: RESULTS ARE ‘PRETTY DRAMATIC’
Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell production and nerve function, according to Soares.
Folate supports DNA synthesis and prevents neural tube defects (birth defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord), so it is important for women to get adequate amounts before and during early pregnancy, per the CDC.
It’s a common misconception, however, that vitamin supplements are beneficial for everyone, according to Messer.
“Technically, all vitamins are necessary — however, it is unnecessary to supplement a vitamin unless you are found to be deficient,” she said.
“An individual’s supplement requirements will vary based on medical conditions, dietary restrictions, malabsorption issues and nutrient deficiencies.”
“It is unnecessary to supplement a vitamin unless you are found to be deficient.”
Certain groups may have a greater need for vitamin supplements than others.
“While a vegan diet can fulfill many nutrient requirements, there are certain vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and vitamin D, that may need closer attention,” Messer said.
-
News1 week ago
Money for cutting-edge climate technology could dry up in a second Trump term
-
News1 week ago
Four killed, dozens injured in Alabama shooting
-
World1 week ago
Scholz’s SPD narrowly ahead of far right in east German state: Projections
-
World1 week ago
Russian airstrike on apartment block in Kharkiv injures 21 people
-
News1 week ago
Cross-Tabs: September 2024 Times/Siena Polls in Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina
-
World1 week ago
Czech main opposition party dominates regional elections
-
News1 week ago
Election 2024 Polls: Texas
-
Politics1 week ago
Elon Musk’s pro-Trump super PAC launches website to increase canvassers in battleground states